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Trivia: Musical Terms

Subject : trivia
Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • Match each statement with the correct term.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. Pertaining to the fugue - the overlapping of the same theme or motif by two or more voices a few beats apart.






2. The highest female voice.






3. Short detached notes - as opposed to legato.






4. Music composed such that each note is used the same number of times.






5. A piece of music written in triple time. Also an old French dance.






6. A period in history dating from the 14th to 16th centuries. This period signified the rebirth of music - art - and literature.






7. The period of music history which dates from the mid 1700's to mid 1800's. The music was spare and emotionally reserved - especially when compared to Romantic and Boroque music.






8. A combination of two or more staves on which all the notes are vertically aligned and performed simultaneously in differing registers and instruments.






9. Movement or passage that concludes the musical composition.






10. Written for 2 to 10 solo parts featuring one instrument to a part. Each part bears the same importance.






11. A set of seven musicians who perform a composition written for seven parts.






12. The flats and sharps at the beginning of each staff line indicating the key of music the piece is to be played.






13. Made up of five horizontal parallel lines and the spaces between them on which musical notation is written.






14. To repeat a previous part of a composition generally after other music has been played.






15. Atonal and violent style used as a means of evoking heightened emotions and states of mind.






16. Successive notes of a key or mode either ascending or descending.






17. Music that is written and performed without regard to any specific key.






18. A hymn sung by the choir and congregation often in unison.






19. The frequency of a note determining how high or low it sounds.






20. A line in a contrapuntal work performed by an individual voice or instrument.






21. The principal note of a triad.






22. First developed in the 8th century - methods of writing music.






23. The expression the performer brings when playing his instrument.






24. Introduction to an opera or other large musical work.






25. The period of music history which dates from the mid 1800's and lasted about sixty years. There was a strong regard for order and balance.






26. A piece of music played at the end of a recital responding to the audiences enthusiastic reaction to the performance - shown by continuous applause.






27. Sliding between two notes.






28. A form of music written for marching in two-step time. Originally the march was used for military processions.






29. Short detached notes - as opposed to legato.






30. Refers to any great composer - conductor - or teacher of music.






31. The principal note of a triad.






32. A composition written for a solo instrument. The soloist plays the melody while the orchestra plays the accompaniment.






33. Music written for a lively French dance for two performers written in triple time.






34. Eight full tones above the key note where the scale begins and ends.






35. Primary theme or subject that is developed.






36. Arranging a piece of music for an orchestra. Also - the study of music.






37. Combination of two or more keys being played at the same time.






38. Refers to the tuning of an instrument.






39. A symbol in sheet music that returns a note to its original pitch after it has been augmented or diminished.






40. Music of a particular form consisting of four movements. Each of the movements differ in tempo - rhythm - and melody; but are held together by subject and style.






41. One who directs a group of performers. The conductor indicates the tempo - phrasing - dynamics - and style by gestures and facial expressions.






42. The first tone of a scale also known as a keynote.






43. The study of forms - history - science - and methods of music.






44. Pertaining to the fugue - the overlapping of the same theme or motif by two or more voices a few beats apart.






45. A musical composition written solely to improve technique. Often performed for artistic interest.






46. Either of the two octave arrangements in modern music. The modes are either major or minor.






47. Pleasing combination of two or three tones played together in the background while a melody is being played. Harmony also refers to the study of chord progressions.






48. The piece of cane in wind instruments. The players cause vibrations by blowing through it in order to produce sound.






49. A book of text containing the words of an opera.






50. An instruction in sheet music to play softly. Abbreviated by a 'p'.






Can you answer 50 questions in 15 minutes?



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